Rio Carnival - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
WHAT: Rio Carnival
WHERE: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Every February, Rio de Janeiro erupts into a spectacular celebration of music, dance, and colour as Rio Carnival transforms Brazil's most famous city into one of the world's greatest parties. Held in the days leading up to Lent, the carnival attracts millions of revellers from across the globe and is widely regarded as the largest carnival celebration in the world.
The World's Biggest Carnival
For several unforgettable days, the streets of Rio come alive with samba rhythms, elaborate costumes, dazzling floats, and non-stop celebrations. Around two million people are estimated to take to the city's streets each day, joining neighbourhood parties known as blocos, where live music, dancing, and an infectious carnival spirit fill every corner of the city.
The Spectacular Sambadrome Parade
The centrepiece of Rio Carnival is the world-famous Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, where Rio's legendary samba schools compete in breathtaking parades featuring elaborate floats, spectacular costumes, and thousands of performers. Months of preparation culminate in performances judged on choreography, music, costumes, creativity, and precision, making the parade one of the greatest spectacles in international festival culture.
Carnival Across the City
While the Sambadrome hosts the official parade competition, carnival extends far beyond the stadium. From Copacabana and Ipanema to the historic streets of Santa Teresa and downtown Rio, hundreds of blocos create a city-wide celebration where locals and visitors dance together from morning until late into the night.
Whether you're watching the world's finest samba schools compete, joining a lively neighbourhood bloco, or dancing beneath the summer skies of Rio, Carnival is an unforgettable celebration of Brazilian culture. Each place tells a story. In Rio de Janeiro, it's told through samba, colour, and the joyful spirit of Carnival.